Still Think I Am Crazy? I Am…But, Zach Freaking Parise.

Burnside: Far, far away from Newark. If the Devils aren’t firmly ensconced in a playoff spot, team president and GM Lou Lamoriello will have little option but to deal Parise, who does not have a no-movement/no-trade clause. Our guess? How about playing the wing with Mike Richards in Los Angeles?

Custance: The safe answer is New Jersey, and the Devils should do whatever it takes to get Parise signed to a long-term deal. But I’ll go out on a limb and say he’s in Los Angeles on March 5. If the Kings are truly going to challenge for a Stanley Cup this season, they still need one more elite goal scorer for their talented centers, especially if Simon Gagne can’t stay healthy. GM Dean Lombardi has stocked his system with enough young depth and talent that he can afford to be aggressive at the trade deadline, even after raiding the system to deal for Mike Richards. And landing Parise would be a dramatic improvement over the move to add Dustin Penner last season.

LeBrun: Still in Jersey. The Devils will be contending for a playoff spot, so even if they can’t sign him to an extension by then, they have to keep him for the stretch drive. If the Devils fall out of playoff contention and haven’t been able to sign him to an extension, they must look at the trade market. Then, you can list a long line of suitors. Among them, in our opinion, would be Los Angeles. The Kings really covet Parise, and if they can’t get him this March, they’ll try again July 1 if Parise hasn’t signed in New Jersey.

Also, check out the video once you click on the link. Listen to Barry Melrose on the L.A. Kings. It starts at the 2:35 minute mark.

Again. Trade deadline. Devils are sellers and in a rebuilding mode, what with Brodeur’s imminent retirement and all. They’ll need a goalie. Bernier is the perfect heir to the mantle of their talented French Canadian goalie thing. Good marketing for them too. Parse will supplement their cheap, rebuilding winger needs. Maybe add a lower draft pick. Parise is ours come March!

I say give’em nothing for a rental. No depth like having 2, #1’s. Bernier isn’t going anywhere for at least a year (if at all). Not even for Parise. Dean prizes goalie depth above anything else, and that’s the one position that has no question marks in case of injury.

Even if Quick became a #2 with us, he would be the best #2 in the league, just like Bernier is now. Trade that depth once we win something, not before.